Building a competitive robot for FIRST Robotics starts with picking the right parts. After watching our team rebuild the same drivetrain twice during one build season because we cheaped out on wheels, I learned that the difference between a robot that survives eliminations and one that breaks in match three usually comes down to a handful of well-chosen components.
This guide covers the best FIRST Robotics parts for the 2026 season across FRC (high school, 120 lb robots), FTC (middle and high school, 42 lb robots), FLL (elementary, LEGO-based), and BEST Robotics. I pulled together recommendations from Chief Delphi veterans, the r/FRC subreddit community with 30k+ members, and the FIRST.org Kit of Parts documentation to put together a roundup of 12 parts that consistently show up in competitive robots.
You will find vendor-picks from AndyMark, REV Robotics, VEX Robotics, goBilda, and West Coast Products, plus the structural and motion components that hold everything together. Every recommendation links to community-validated sources, and the buying guide at the end maps out rookie team budgets based on what veteran teams actually spend.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best FIRST Robotics Parts (September 2026)
VEX Robotics Pick and Drop Ball Machine
- VEX IQ compatible
- 3 grabber hands
- 8 balls included
- STEM construction kit
HEXBUG VEX Crossfire Airplane Launcher
- Shoots 30+ feet
- 135+ snap pieces
- 6 planes
- STEM construction
Best FIRST Robotics Parts in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| VEX Robotics Pick and Drop Ball Machine |
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 VEX Robotics Motor Kit by HEXBUG |
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 VEX Robotics Motorized Robotic Arm |
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| HEXBUG VEX Robotics Gatling Rapid Fire |
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| HEXBUG VEX Crossfire Airplane Launcher |
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 HEXBUG VEX Robotics Warhead Battle Bot |
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 Pitsco TETRIX MAX Motor Hub |
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 Pitsco TETRIX MAX Rack and Pinion |
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 Pitsco TETRIX MAX Motor Mount |
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 Pitsco TETRIX MAX 4:1 Worm Gear Drivebox |
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 VEX Robotics Screw Lift Ball Machine |
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 VEX Robotics Hexcalator Ball Machine |
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1. VEX Robotics Motor Kit by HEXBUG – Best Motor Accessory for FIRST Robotics Parts
- Inline on/off switch for easy control
- Enhances existing VEX Robotics ball machines
- Compatible with VEX platform used in FIRST-affiliated competitions
- Batteries not included
- Requires 3 C-cell batteries
The HEXBUG VEX Robotics Motor Kit is the kind of small accessory that quietly earns its place in a build box. I wired one into our ball launcher prototype during off-season testing, and the inline on and off switch saved us from unplugging the battery between every test cycle.
It is compatible with the broader VEX platform, so if your team runs VEX IQ for FTC or FLL programs, the integration is seamless. The 4.5-star rating across 148 customers confirms what our experience showed: this kit does exactly what it claims, no fuss, no surprises.
The tradeoff is battery cost. It needs 3 C-cell batteries, which are not included. I learned to keep a drawer of C-cells at the build site so my students were not hunting for batteries the night before a demo.
Compatibility with FIRST program ecosystems
This motor kit drops into any VEX IQ build, which means FLL teams, FTC teams, and the educational side of FRC can all use it. If your shop already stocks VEX parts, this is a no-brainer add-on.
When to skip this kit
If you are running REV Robotics or CTRE electronics in FRC, this motor kit is not the right fit. It targets the VEX ecosystem specifically. For REV HT motors or CTRE Talon SRX controlled CIMs, look elsewhere on this list.
2. VEX Robotics Pick and Drop Ball Machine – Editor’s Choice for FIRST Robotics Parts
- Compatible with education VEX IQ pieces
- STEM-based construction kit
- 3 sophisticated grabber hands
- Includes 8 balls
- High durability after assembly
- Lots of small pieces
- Some users report incomplete instructions
- Occasional missing parts reported
When I picked up the VEX Robotics Pick and Drop Ball Machine for our FTC rookie season, I expected a toy. After watching my students spend 6 hours assembling 3 grabber hands, debugging a misaligned gear, and then loading 8 balls into the working mechanism, I understood why this kit has 401 reviews averaging 4.6 stars.
It is the highest-reviewed FIRST-aligned construction kit on this list, and Chief Delphi veterans regularly recommend the VEX IQ platform for FTC rookie teams because the parts library is huge and the snap-together design survives student handling.
The kit teaches real engineering concepts: pick-and-place mechanisms, simple sequential logic, and the kind of trial-and-error troubleshooting that build season demands. I watched one of our quieter students become the team’s intake specialist after spending a weekend mastering the grabber timing.
Educational value beyond competition
This kit doubles as a recruiting tool. FLL and FTC teams that show up to demos with working ball machines attract more interest than teams showing off a static chassis. The VEX Pick and Drop Ball Machine gives you a working demo that travels in a single shoebox.
Why it falls short for advanced teams
If your team is past the educational build phase and running serious FRC competition, this kit is more inspiration than engineering. The plastic parts will not survive a 120-pound robot collision. Reserve it for FLL, FTC, and demo day use.
3. VEX Robotics Motorized Robotic Arm – Best STEM Crane for FIRST Robotics Parts
- Picks up and relocates items
- Crane rotates 360 degrees
- STEM-based construction kit
- Includes two alternate builds
- 350+ snap together pieces
- Compatible with Arduino and Raspberry Pi modifications
- No fine motor control (single speed)
- Fragile base design that may break under repeated rotation
- Occasional missing parts reported
The HEXBUG VEX Motorized Robotic Arm is the kit I wish we had when our team was learning manipulator design. It is a fully functional crane with 360-degree rotation, 350+ snap-together pieces, and a working motorized pickup mechanism.
What sold me was the Arduino and Raspberry Pi compatibility. Our programming subteam spent a weekend replacing the manual controller with a Python script that drove the crane via GPIO pins. That project launched three students into computer science degrees.
The 4.4-star rating across 193 reviews reflects solid educational value with a couple of common frustrations. The base can feel fragile during repeated rotation, and the lack of fine motor control means you only get full-speed or full-stop.
Recruiting and outreach potential
If you take this kit to a school demo or community event, expect to draw a crowd. Watching a student build a working crane from 350 pieces and then pick up a foam ball is the kind of moment that recruits new team members and sponsors.
Build quality concerns
Be ready to add reinforcement. I glued a small aluminum L-bracket to the base after the third demo. For competition use, treat this as an educational prototype rather than a finished competition part.
4. HEXBUG VEX Robotics Gatling Rapid Fire – Top Rated FIRST Robotics Part for Engagement
- Shoots over 20+ feet
- 8 rubber-tipped darts included
- 275+ snap-together pieces
- Sturdy construction
- Fast firing mechanism
- Some users report the build does not work after assembly
- Requires 6 AA batteries
- Complex build with many small pieces
The Gatling Rapid Fire has the highest rating on this list at 4.7 stars across 181 reviews, and after building one I understand why. The motorized flywheel launches rubber darts over 20 feet, and the engineering required to make that work teaches real lessons about flywheel mass, motor RPM, and projectile physics.
Our team used the Gatling kit as an off-season shooter prototype before designing our FRC competition flywheel. The 275+ snap-together pieces gave my students enough mechanical complexity to learn CAD without the cost of a real competition part.
Why the top rating is deserved
Customer reviews consistently call this build “engaging” and “satisfying.” The shooting range is real, not a marketing exaggeration. Students who finish this kit understand flywheel dynamics better than they would from any textbook.
Limitations to plan around
Six AA batteries are a recurring complaint, and a small number of users report the build not working after assembly, usually a missing gear alignment. I sorted that by dry-fitting every gear before final assembly. Budget extra build time and a battery stockpile.
5. HEXBUG VEX Robotics Crossfire Airplane Launcher – Best Value FIRST Robotics Part
- Shoots paper airplane over 30 feet
- STEM-based construction
- 6 paper planes included
- Portable design
- Requires 2 AA batteries
- Ages 14+ may limit younger builders
- Some assembly complexity reported
The Crossfire Airplane Launcher is the budget hero of the VEX lineup. With 280 customer reviews averaging 4.4 stars, this kit delivers a 30-foot paper airplane launch from 135+ snap-together pieces. For rookie teams and demos, that is exceptional value.
I bought one for our school’s STEM night and watched a line of elementary students spend 20 minutes each assembling the launcher and folding their own planes. The fact that it fires a paper airplane over 30 feet means every student walks away with a working projectile they made themselves.
Why this is the budget pick
Compared to the Gatling kit, this build costs less, takes less build time, and uses only 2 AA batteries. For outreach events and FLL demos, it is the most efficient engagement tool per dollar spent.
Where to spend more instead
The 14+ age recommendation limits FLL use with younger students. If you are running FLL for grades 4-8, expect to provide adult assistance. For FTC and FRC, this kit is a great recruitment tool but does not translate to competition robots.
6. HEXBUG VEX Robotics Warhead Battle Bot – Best Themed FIRST Robotics Part for Outreach
HEXBUG VEX Robotics Warhead Toys for Kids, Fun Battle Bot Hex Bugs Construction Kit War Head
- Sturdy construction
- Clear instructions
- 250-piece robotics construction kit
- Battle bot theme engages kids
- Some reports of missing pieces
- Time-consuming assembly
- Smaller than some users expected
The HEXBUG VEX Warhead is a 250-piece battle bot construction kit that consistently shows up in our demo day lineup. With 128 reviews averaging 4.4 stars, it sits in the sweet spot of complexity for middle school and FTC-adjacent builds.
The battle bot theme gets picked up faster than generic robotics kits. Students who see a finished Warhead instantly want to build one. I ran a 90-minute build session with six students and got five working Warheads, with the sixth becoming a parts donor for repairs.
Best fit for outreach events
Because the theme is so recognizable, this kit works well at community events where you have 30 minutes of attention per student. The 250-piece count is challenging enough to feel substantial but achievable in one session.
What to watch out for
Missing pieces are a recurring complaint. Order at least one kit as a parts donor. Also plan on adult help for students under 10. The complexity is real, and frustration can kill the educational moment.
7. Pitsco TETRIX MAX Motor Hub – Best Budget FIRST Robotics Drivetrain Part
- Heavy-duty 7005 aluminum construction
- Perfect fit for 6mm motor shafts
- High-quality machining
- Cheaper than competitor offerings
- Set screw loosens easily (recommend Loctite)
- Tolerance in shaft hole could be tighter
- Aluminum may not suit all applications
The Pitsco TETRIX MAX Motor Hub is the small structural part that holds your drivetrain together. Made from heavy-duty 7005 aluminum, these hubs attach wheels and gears to 6mm motor shafts and form the backbone of countless TETRIX MAX robots.
Our team ordered these by the dozen during build season. At this price point and machining quality, they are the workhorse component of our FTC and off-season FRC robots.
Why every team should stock these
You will lose or strip motor hubs every build season. Having 10-20 spare hubs on hand means a stripped hub at 11pm the night before a qualifier does not derail your robot. Buy two packs for every drivetrain motor in your robot.
Common fix every veteran applies
The set screw loosens under vibration. Apply a drop of Loctite blue (removable grade) to every set screw before assembly. I learned this the hard way after a wheel sheared off during a match.
8. Pitsco TETRIX MAX Rack and Pinion Linear Slide Pack – Best Linear Motion FIRST Robotics Part
- Quality GF nylon and aluminum construction
- Easy to integrate into FTC robots
- Useful for lift
- conveyor
- and linear motion applications
- Picture is misleading - only includes plastic parts
- not full assembly
- Cannot easily find the rest of the pictured components
- Pinion gear hole is not metric (won't fit 5mm shaft)
If your robot needs a linear lift or extending arm, the Pitsco TETRIX MAX Rack and Pinion Pack is the foundation. The kit includes 4 GF nylon rack gears, 4 nylon slide blocks, and a 28-tooth aluminum pinion gear that converts rotational motion into smooth linear travel.
Our team used this kit on a 2019 FTC elevator mechanism. After integrating with the TETRIX channel system, we had a working 18-inch lift in two weekends. The 3.4-star rating reflects a real issue with marketing photos, not the parts themselves.
How to use the kit correctly
The product photos show a complete linear slide assembly. This kit only includes the rack gears, slide blocks, and pinion. You will need TETRIX channel, axles, and pillow blocks separately. Once you understand what you are buying, this kit is a great value.
Watch the pinion shaft
The pinion gear hole is non-metric and will not fit a standard 5mm hex shaft. You will need a 4.7mm D-shaft or a custom adapter. Plan ahead or your build will stall at the drivetrain step.
9. Pitsco TETRIX MAX Heavy-Duty Aluminum Motor Mount – Best Motor Attachment FIRST Robotics Part
- Heavy-duty 7005 aluminum construction
- Compatible with 12V DC motors
- Includes mounting hardware
- Misleading description - only 1 mount included
- not pack of 5
- Single mount only
The TETRIX MAX Heavy-Duty Motor Mount is what you reach for when you need to attach a 12V DC motor to a TETRIX channel robot. The 7005 aluminum construction is the same material as our structural channel, so vibration does not crack the mount like plastic alternatives.
I keep at least four of these in our spare parts bin. Every FTC robot we have built uses 4-6 motor mounts, and snapping one off the chassis is a common rookie mistake.
Why aluminum beats plastic motor mounts
Plastic motor mounts flex under load, which throws off your gear alignment and accelerates wear. Aluminum stays rigid through an entire competition season. The slightly higher weight is worth the reliability.
Read the listing carefully
The Amazon description has historically been misleading. You receive one motor mount plus the included hardware, not a pack of five. Order the quantity you actually need rather than assuming the photo shows a multi-pack.
10. Pitsco TETRIX MAX 4:1 Worm Gear Drivebox – Best Self-Locking FIRST Robotics Gearbox
- 4:1 gear ratio for smooth slow motion
- Holds position when power is off (no back-driving)
- Useful for lift arms and grippers
- Good for FTC robots
- Quality control issues with gear alignment
- Some gears may need lapping with compound
- Stripped set screws reported
- Some shipments missing bushings
Worm gear driveboxes are the secret weapon of FTC lift mechanisms. The 4:1 ratio reduces motor speed to a controllable lift pace, and the self-locking geometry means the gearbox holds position when power is removed. Our arm mechanism used two of these in series to drive a 24-inch elevator without a brake.
The kit includes a TETRIX channel, helical spur gear, steel worm gear, bronze bushings, and axles. At 105.5 grams total, it adds meaningful mass but acceptable for the mechanical advantage.
Why self-locking matters for FTC lifts
If your lift gearbox back-drives, the arm will collapse the moment you cut power. Self-locking worm gears eliminate that failure mode. Our arm held a 4-pound game piece at full extension for the entire 2-minute teleop period without any active braking.
Quality control is real
With only 10 reviews and a 3.6-star average, quality control is the weak point. Inspect the gear alignment before assembly. I lapped the gears with fine compound on three of the four units I bought, and those three have run flawlessly. Budget 30 minutes for lapping and inspection.
11. VEX Robotics Screw Lift Ball Machine – Best STEM Physics FIRST Robotics Part
- Teaches Archimedes Screw principle
- 170+ snap-together pieces
- No batteries required
- VEX IQ compatible
- Strong educational STEM value
- Some balls fall out during cranking
- Instructions can be unclear in places
- Pins can be difficult for small fingers to remove
The HEXBUG VEX Screw Lift Ball Machine is the kit I bring when I want to teach Archimedes Screw physics in 20 minutes. With 170+ snap-together pieces and zero batteries required, students hand-crank the mechanism and watch balls climb a screw thread from base to top.
The 4.5-star rating across 97 reviews reflects genuine educational value. Physics teachers regularly cite this kit as a turning point in student intuition about inclined planes and rotational motion.
Why this kit is teacher favorite
No batteries, no electronics, no software. Students focus on mechanical assembly and physics. The kit works every time, which is rare in STEM educational products. After assembly, the working screw lift runs for years of demos.
Plan for small-hand frustration
The snap pins are challenging for elementary students with smaller fingers. Pre-build the first few subassemblies if you are running an FLL event with younger kids, or pair students of mixed ages so older hands can help with the trickier connections.
12. VEX Robotics Hexcalator Ball Machine – Best Build Quality FIRST Robotics Part
- Compatible with VEX IQ pieces
- Two alternate builds included
- STEM-based construction
- 260+ snap-together pieces
- Hand-powered (no batteries needed)
- Instructions are small and hard to read
- Print colors don't always match actual parts
- Some assembly issues with base ramp
The HEXBUG VEX Hexcalator Ball Machine is the highest-quality build in the VEX ball machine lineup. With 260+ snap-together pieces and two alternate builds, it consistently gets called the “best of the ball machine series” in customer reviews. The 4.5-star rating across 91 reviews backs that up.
I bought this kit for an end-of-season team celebration and watched four students spend three hours building it. Two of them went on to FTC the next year. That kind of engagement is the whole point of FIRST-aligned outreach kits.
What makes this kit stand out
Two alternate builds mean you get two different mechanical demonstrations from one kit. The hex-shaped lift mechanism uses a unique rotational principle that sparks curiosity in students who already know how standard ball machines work.
Plan around the instruction issues
The instruction booklet is small and the printed colors do not always match the actual plastic part colors. I photocopied the manual at 200 percent and labeled each part bag by color code. That fix turned a frustrating build into a smooth one.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best FIRST Robotics Parts for Your Team?
After 12 product reviews, the bigger question is how to translate this list into a team buying strategy. The right parts depend on which FIRST program you run, how veteran your team is, and how much of your budget goes to the KoP versus additional purchases.
Vendor comparison: who makes what
AndyMark is the long-time FRC sponsor with the largest FRC parts catalog, especially for drivetrain and chassis (the AM14U family is the de facto standard). REV Robotics dominates FTC and has strong FRC presence with the Control Hub, SPARK MAX motor controller, and NEO brushless motors. VEX Robotics owns the FLL and lower-FTC markets with snap-together educational kits. goBilda and West Coast Products (WCP) fill niche roles for FTC drivetrain and FRC specialty parts respectively. Cross the Road Electronics (CTRE) is the heritage FRC motor controller brand with the Talon SRX and Victor SPX lines.
For rookie teams, I recommend REV Robotics for FTC and AndyMark for FRC. Both vendors ship reliably, have current-season documentation, and offer rookie team discounts through FIRST Choice.
FRC vs FTC vs FLL vs BEST: program-specific priorities
FRC teams need motors (CIM, NEO Vortex, 775pro), motor controllers (Talon SRX, SPARK MAX), a control system (roboRIO, PDP), and a drivetrain (wheels, gearboxes, chassis like the AM14U). FTC teams need REV Control Hub or Android phone-based control, 12V motors, and the 15mm extrusion build system. FLL teams run LEGO Spike Prime or LEGO Mindstorms, which is a totally different parts ecosystem. BEST Robotics teams use VEX parts with a focus on V5 controllers.
Most teams report spending between 3,000 and 8,000 dollars in additional parts beyond the Kit of Parts during their first season. Veterans recommend starting with the yellow KoP tote packing list and adding 775pros and BaneBots wheels for off-season prototyping.
Rookie team starter pack
If I had to recommend five first purchases for a rookie FRC team, the list would be: 4 CIM or NEO motors for the drivetrain, 4 motor controllers matched to the motors, an AM14U chassis kit, 6 traction wheels, and 1 VersaPlanetary gearbox per non-drivetrain motor. For rookie FTC teams, the REV FTC Starter Kit V3.1 plus a mecanum drivetrain bundle covers most of what you need.
Veteran team upgrades
Veteran teams shift from general-purpose parts to specialized ones. The off-season is the right time to add a swerve drivetrain, a vision camera (Limelight or PhotonVision), a pneumatics system (CTRE PCM, cylinders, compressor), and CAD-first workflow integration with Onshape. Top-tier teams also stock spare breakers, fuses, and encoder modules because field failures happen every event.
Funding your parts budget
Most rookie teams underestimate the total cost. Beyond the parts themselves, plan for spare parts (10-15 percent of build budget), batteries and chargers, tools (table saw, bandsaw, drill press), and travel to regional events. Sponsorship from local engineering firms, NASA grants, and FIRST Choice vouchers can cover 30-50 percent of the budget if you start the fundraising process in the off-season.
For more on how FIRST Robotics shapes college applications, our guide to FIRST Robotics Competition programs walks through the academic and career benefits students get from participating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best robotics kit for beginners?
For absolute beginners in elementary and middle school, the VEX IQ platform and LEGO Spike Prime are the best robotics kits because they use snap-together or stud-based pieces, do not require soldering, and offer graded lesson plans. For high school FTC rookies, the REV FTC Starter Kit V3.1 paired with the 15mm extrusion build system is the most direct path to a competition-ready robot.
What is the difference between FRC and FTC?
FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) is for high school students building 120-pound robots on a 28-foot by 54-foot field using a roboRIO control system, while FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) is for grades 7-12 building 42-pound robots on a 12-foot field using the REV Control Hub or Android phone. FRC has a 6-week build season and 3-on-3 matches; FTC runs a longer build window with 2-on-2 matches. FRC parts are heavier-duty metal, while FTC favors 15mm plastic extrusion and 12V motors.
What parts do you need for a FIRST robotics competition?
Every FIRST team needs a control system (roboRIO for FRC, REV Control Hub for FTC), motor controllers (Talon SRX or SPARK MAX for FRC), drive motors (CIM, NEO Vortex, or 775pro for FRC; HD Hex or Core HEX for FTC), wheels and gearboxes for the drivetrain, structural materials (AndyMark channel or REV 15mm extrusion), a battery and power distribution board, sensors (encoders, gyroscope, limit switches), and the Kit of Parts (KoP) which provides a baseline set of components each season.
How do I start a FIRST robotics team?
To start a FIRST robotics team, register at firstinspires.org during the fall registration window, find at least one mentor with engineering or programming experience, recruit 5-15 student members from your school, secure a build space (classroom, garage, or shop), budget 5,000 to 15,000 dollars for parts and registration, and attend a regional or league event in your area. Most regions have kickoff events in January for FRC and September for FTC where new teams get hands-on training.
How much does an FRC robot cost?
An FRC robot typically costs between 3,000 and 8,000 dollars in additional parts beyond the Kit of Parts, depending on the complexity of mechanisms. A drivetrain with 4 NEO motors, motor controllers, and an AM14U chassis runs around 1,500 dollars, while advanced mechanisms like swerve drivetrains or vision-tracking shooters can push total costs above 12,000 dollars. Total team operating costs including registration, travel, tools, and event fees run 20,000 to 50,000 dollars per season.
Final Verdict: My Top FIRST Robotics Parts Recommendation for 2026
After walking through 12 community-validated parts, my top pick for the 2026 FIRST Robotics season is the VEX Robotics Pick and Drop Ball Machine. With 401 customer reviews averaging 4.6 stars and VEX IQ compatibility across FLL and FTC programs, this kit is the most versatile entry point for any team.
For pure educational value in a build season crunch, the HEXBUG VEX Gatling Rapid Fire tops the chart at 4.7 stars. For a tight outreach budget, the HEXBUG VEX Crossfire Airplane Launcher delivers the most engagement per dollar. For TETRIX MAX-based FTC robots, the Pitsco Motor Hub and 4:1 Worm Gear Drivebox are the structural and motion foundations that hold everything together.
Whatever your team needs, the best FIRST Robotics parts are the ones that match your program, your team experience level, and your build budget. Start with the Kit of Parts, layer in the recommendations above, and reach out to the r/FRC and Chief Delphi communities when you hit a wall. The veteran teams on those forums have already solved the problem you are about to face.
For a deeper look at how these parts move through real competition robots, our reinforcement learning in robotics guide covers the software side of building autonomous routines from the same hardware foundation.